Transcript PART II Policies & Implementation

Week 6
Definitions and forms of discrimination;
institutional racism
30 March 2006
Discrimination/isms:
Personal – Cultural - Structural
Neil Thompson
P
C
S
European Union anti-discrimination policy
The two EU equality Directives, based on Article 13 of the European
Community (EC) Treaty, are:
Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000, establishing a
general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation
(the 'framework employment Directive') (EU0102295F); and
Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000, implementing the principle
of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic
origin (the 'race Directive') (EU0006256F).
Need to consolidate implement
Race Equality Directive and
Terminology
• Prohibits discrimination against people on the
grounds of ethnicity or race in many areas,
incl. employment, education, training, social
security benefits, health care, and access to
and supply of goods and services that are
available to the public, including housing.
• Member states are required to designate (or
create) a body to provide support and
guidance to victims of racial discrimination.
Race Equality Directive cont.
• Most governments have taken a minimalist approach
when implementing the directive, which in many cases
has led to uncertainty, discrepancies between different
laws, and vague definitions that leave room for
interpretation and argument. Consequently, the laws,
which in principle should protect the victims of
discrimination, leave them to cope with legal
uncertainties.
• Doesn’t describe Racial Discrimination
• Indirect discrimination
• Direct discrimination
• Harassment
• Victimization
Burden of Proof
• The Burden of Proof is shifted to the
respondent when it is established that
discrimination occurred
• To establish can be difficult so it is up to
NGO activism to do this.
• Akcion Popularis
Sanctions
• Article 15--- Sanctions must be effective,
proportional and dissuasive
• Criminal Sanctions for egregious acts
• Civil Sanctions--- compensation, exemplary
damages, punitive damages
• Labour representative-- any fine goes to the
state so people aren’t motivated
Role of specialised bodies and their relationship with civil
society organisations
• CRE in UK ► Good bench mark/example
• Characteristics of Specialised Bodies
 Responsibilities
 Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Good race relations,
Promoting equality and operation etc…)
 Status
 Independent, Up hold the principles of public life,
Accountable, Open and honest
 Governance
 Commissioners, Advisers, Committees
Discrimination – definition
2000/43/EC
Indirect discrimination shall be taken to occur
where an apparently neutral provision,
criterion or practice would put persons of a
racial or ethnic origin at a particular
disadvantage compared with other persons,
unless that provision, criterion or practice is
objectively justified by a legitimate aim and
the means of achieving.
see also notes on the directive in UNIT 6 web site
Role of NGOs in drafting the
directive
• Policy actors: governments & public admin.,
private sector, intl. organisations, NGOs
• Starting Line Group : ERRC, Interrights, MPG –
see text on the directive in Unit 6
• Cf directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC
Enlarged Europe – May 2004
Green paper on Equality and non-discrimination
in an enlarged European Union:
http://www.stop-discrimination.info
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fun
damental_rights/greenpaper_en.htm
http://www.enar-eu.org/en/info/fact18.shtml
Institutional racism
1999 – The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry:
Report of an Inquiry by Sir William Macpherson of Cluny, also at
www.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/4262.htm;
mainly chapter 6, pp. 26-28
„Institutional Racism defined as: The collective failure of an
organisation to provide an appropriate and professional
service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic
origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and
behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting
prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping
which disadvantages minority ethnic people.“
see also notes on inst. racism in UNIT 6 web site
Activities
Case study 1 – Acces to public space
Case study 2 - Access to employment
HW
Case study 3 - Education